Printing instrumentality for typewriting machines



F. H. TREGO July 9, 1935.

PRINTING INSTRUMENTALITY FOR TYPEWRITING MACHINES Filed March 24, 1951 3Shets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Fra/7k H. Te

BY W g A ITORNEY Patented July 9, 193.5

V2,007,229 l rnm'rmc wmsrimini:N'rALrrr nonv PATENT OFFICE TYPEWRITINGMACHINES Frank n. 'r1-ego, New York, N.A mesne assignments, to Ralphporation, New York,

Delaware Application March 24,

12 Claims.

. This invention relates to typewriting machines and more particularlyto printing instrumentali- V' ties therefor.

The invention is shown as applied to the Varityper writing machine,which machine includes a type carrier operable about an axis, by meansincluding an actuator, under the control of key levers, to locate aselected one of a plurality of types at the printing point. Indexingdevicesare settable by the key levers and are engaged by the actuator toregister the selected type at the printing point. A hammer is thenoperated to co-operate with the type carrier and thus print on aninterposed work sheet.

The present invention is in the nature of improvements which may be usedwith some of the devices disclosed in my application, Serial No.495,872, iiled Nov. 15, 1930 and in which the hammer is operatedby anelectro-magnet, under thecontrol of the key levers, to facilitate theoperation of the machine.

An object of this invention, in which the hammer is also actuated by anelectro-magnet, is to .prevent premature actuation of the hammer; or,

in other words, to insure against operation of the hammer before theselected type of the type carrier or shuttlereaches the printing point.

To this end there is provided a normally open switch which iselectrically connected with the electro-magnet. Said switch, in thepresent form of the invention, is carried by the shuttle and is operatedby the active one of the indexing devices as said actuator approachesthe latter.

Provision is made to render the electro-magnet ineifective so that thehammer may be restored to normal without delay which may otherwise becaused by holding closed the switch associated with the shuttleactuator. For this purpose there is 4provided a normally closed switchin the electricv circuit of the electro-magnet. The operation of saidswitch, to open it, is started by the hammer, and is delayed and thencompleted by suitable means, so as to prevent a premature -return o fthe hammer, and to insure immediate return of the hammer after printing.jOther features and kadvantages will hereinafter appear. A a l In theaccompanying drawings,

Fig. 1 is a sectional side view of-themachine; Fig. 2 is atop plan lviewofv a portion kof the machine showing the shuttle actuator and itsvassociated parts in normal position. l

l-Fig. 3 lis a view similar to Fig. 2 showing the type shuttle actuatedand the switch,'associated Y., assignor, by C. Coxhead Cor- N. Y., acorporation of 1931, Serial No. 524,816

(Cl. IS7-49) with the shuttle actuator, operated by the latter and theindexing device.

Fig. 4 is a detail, vertical section, on an enlarged scale, illustratingthe type shuttle actuator and the associated switch.

Fig. 5 is a rear view of the carriage escapement mechanism and theswitch associated therewith.

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic view of the electric circuit.

Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic view of a modified electric circuit.

Similar reference characters represent similar parts throughout thevarious views.

The machine includes a main frame l5 having thereon a track I6 uponwhich is supported a carriage I1 to travel back and forth through themedium of yanti-friction balls or rollers I8, said carriage being urgedin a letter space direction by the usual spring drum, not shown, towhich it is connected by a strap I9. The carriage is provided with feedrollers -20 and 2| by which 'a work-sheet 22 may be fed upwardly betweena `type carrier or shuttle 23 and a hammer 24, the latter being locatedbehind the work-sheet.

The type shuttle 23, which is located in front of the work sheet, issupported on an anvil 25 secured to 'a shaft 25a suitably supported by across-bar 2B and a. plate 21 on the machine frame I5. 'I'he type shuttleis operable by an actuator or lever 28 connected to said shuttle by anupwardly extending finger 29 engaging a iin 30 which extends throughaslot 3l, in the anvil 24, the fin serving also to support the shuttle onthe anvil.

The shuttle actuating lever 28 is secured to a sleeve `32 rotatableabout the shaft 25 and resting on the cross-bar 2B. The shuttle actuator28 may be operated in a clockwise and a counterclockwise direction (Fig.2), from a central position, in a manner described in the abovementioned application, or in the usual manner by means of two universalbars 33, only one being illustrated. Key levers 34 are divided into twogroups, one group at each side of the middle of the machine; each groupbeing associated with one` of the universal bars. Upon the depression ofany one of the key levers 34, about its fulcrum 34a the rear end thereofengages the universal bar 23 to swing it upwardly about a shaft 35. Eachuniversal bar has anl upwardlyv extending arm 36, the lfree/end of whichengages the actuator-28 to operate the latter to vactuate the typeshuttle.

To accurately-register the selected' types of said shuttle at theprinting point, indexing devices or stops 48 are provided, oneassociated with each key-lever 94, each being operable, by its keylever, against the action of a return spring 4|, to project the upperend into the path oi' an arm 42 of the shuttle actuator 28.

The carriage I1 is connected by the usual rack 45 with a pinion 48 ofthe carriage escapement 41 which is actuable by a universal bar 48engaged by the rear end of the key levers 94. The universal bar 49 rocksa shaft 58 having secured thereto a rearwardly extending armwhichoperates a dog-rocker 52 about its pivot 58 (Fig. 5) to carry a fixeddog 54 into the path of the teeth 55 of an escapement wheel 58 securedto a shaft 51, the escapement wheel having the usual one-way drivingconnection including a springpressed pawl 58, on a disk 59 secured tothe pinion 48 which is loosely supported on the shaft 51. The one-waydriving connection further includes a ratchet 88, connected to the shaft51, and engaged by the pawl 58.

After the dog 54 has entered the path of the teeth of said escapementwheel a loose dog 8| is swung, about its pivot 82, out oi' engagementwith the escapement wheel, by an arm 89 of the dog rocker 52, said armbeing provided with a slot 84 into which extends a pin |85 from saidloose dog. Upon the release of the loose dog from the escapement wheel,it is carried upwardly by a frame 88 pivotally supported on theescapement shaft 51, said frame being actuated by the printing hammerthrough the connecting pin 81, the hammer being operated, to print, in amanner hereinafter described. 'I'he dog 8|, as it is carried upwardly,is guided into the path of the next adjacent tooth of the escapementwheel by the inclined slot 84 so that upon the release of the escapementwheel from the dog 54 the escapement wheel, by its movement, returns theloose dog to normal, thus completing the letter feeding movement of thecarriage.

The means to actuate the printing hammer 24 includes a solenoid 18(Fig. 1) which is connected in circuit with a source of power 12 (Fig.6), a

n conductor 13, a hand switch 14, a conductor 15,

a normally open switch 15, a normally closed switch 18 and a conductor11. The electric circuit further includes a conductor 18, a contactsegment; 19, a switch 88 associated with the type shuttle actuator 28, aconductor 8| and ground 82, which may be' the main frame of the machine.

The solenoid 18 is energized by the actuation of any one of the keylevers, in a manner hereinafter described, to draw the plunger 85 intothe coil 88 of said solenoid, to actuate the hammer 24 about the axis ofa shaft 81, the plunger being connected to the hammer 24 through themedium of a link 88 connected to a downwardly extending arm 89 securedto the hammer 24. After the printing operation the solenoid isdeenergized, in a manner vhereinafter described, and the hammer issubsequently restored to normal by a spring 98 connected to the hammerarm 89.

To energize the solenoid 18 the circuit is first conditioned by closingthe switch 15 by the actuation of any one of the key levers 34, whichkey levers, it will be remembered, actuate the dog rocker 52 in aclockwise direction (Fig. 5), through the medium of the universal bar 49and the arm 5|. The dog rocker carries a movable contact 92, of theswitch 15, into engagement with a xed contact 98 to close said switch15; this operation preceding the closing of the switch The completion ofthe circuit closing operation takes place during the latter part of theactuation of the type shuttle, irrespective of the angular distancetraveled by the latter. For this purpose the switch 88 is carried by theshuttle actuator 28 (Figs. 1, 2 and 4) and comprises two contactelements 95 and 98, the element 98 being secured to the actuator 28 by abolt 91; said contact element and bolt being suitably insulated from theactuator by washers 98 and a sleeve 98 oi insulating material.

The other contact element is secured to a headed stud |88 pivotaliysupported on the actuator 28; the upper end of the stud having securedthereto a collar |8| from which extends a flat spring |82- engagingbetween two projections |88 of the actuator to hold the pivoted switchelement 98 in a central position with reference to the actuator 28.

During the initial part of the operation o! the actuator 28, in eitherdirection from its normal position in Fig. 2, there is no motion oi' theswitch element 98 about its pivot. As soon as said switch elementreaches the actuated one of the indexing devices 48 it is obstructedthereby and a further movement of the actuator 28, until it also reachesthe set indexing device (Fig. 3), causes the switch element or lever 98to be actuated about the axis of the stud |89, against the action of thespring |82, to carry a contact |84, of the switch element 98, intoengagement with a contact |85, of the ilxed, switch element 95, thusclosing the circuit to energize the solenoid 18 and thereby actuate theprinting hammer 24 as previously described. The element or lever 98 andthe spring |82 also tend to push the lever 28 away from the eil'ectiveindexing pin to hasten the return of the shuttle lever 28, thusexpediting the operation of the machine. It will be understood when theshuttle actuator moves clockwise from its central position in Fig. 2that the switch 88 is closed by contacts |88 and |81.

Electrical connection is maintained between the movable switch 88 andthe fixed conductor 18 by a head |88, on the bolt 91, which has slidingcontact with the contact segment 19 to engage it in all positions oi'the actuator 28; said segment being connected to the conductor 18 andbeing insulated from the machine frame by a block |89 of insulatingmaterial.

|I'he switch 18 includes a fixed contact ||5 on a block 8 of insulatingmaterial (Figs. 1, 5 and 6) mounted on a bracket ||1 secured to the mainframe I5, the contact ||5 being connected to the contact 93 of thepreviously described switch 15, by a conductor ||8. Co-operating withthe contact 5 is another contact ||9 supported on a bell-crank lever |28pivoted by a screw or stud |2| on the bracket |1. A detent spring |22secured to the bracket |1, acts through the medium of a roller |29 onone side of a nose |24 of the bell crank lever |28 to hold theswitchclosed as in Fig. 5.

The operation of the switch 18 is initiated by the hammer during itsactuation to the printing point, through the medium of the dog carryingframe 88; the frame 88 being provided with a lug |25 which engages alinger 28 of the switch lever |28 to swing the latter about its pivot 82in a clockwise direction (Fig. 5) until the point of the nose |24 wipespast the roller |29, o! the detent |22, the switch 18 remaining closedalthough the switch lever |28 has been partially actuated; the contact||9 being slidably supported for this purpose on the switch lever |28aco-mao g and being urged toward the contact ||5 by a spring, (notshown). The contact ||9 is supported in a block |21 of insulatingvmaterial which is suitably attached to the switch lever |20.

It should be understood that the yprinting of the hammer has taken placewhen the switch 15 is partially operated as above described and theswitch is still closed. Instantly after printing, however, the spring|22 acts to complete the operation of the switch lever |20 to. open theswitch 10 to break the circuit and thus de-energize the solenoid topermit the return of the hammer 2l. Upon the return of the hammer tonormal the dog'carrying frame 56 is returned therewith and the lug |25engages a finger |28 of the switch lever |20 to start its return stroke,which return stroke is completed by the spring |22 vto close the switch15., Before the closing of the switch 15 is effected, however, theswitch 15s is opened by lthe return ofthe dog rocker 52 to normal.

kIt should be understood that it is a feature of the normally openswitch 15", in the circuit, to guard against actuation of the hammer byan accidental closing of the switch associated with the shuttle actuatorv28, or, in other words, to insure against operation of the hammer 24except when a key lever is operated.

Due to the fact that the source of energy 12 and the conductor B0 aregrounded on the machine frame I5, it is advantageous to employ theswitch |53 in the circuit, because it provides a means to prevent ashock to the operator while the machine is at rest and the power switch14 is closed. v

In a simplified form of the invention the switches 15a and 16 may beexcluded from the circuit as indicated in Fig. 7 where the conductor 15is connected directly to the solenoid 10. It will be understood that inthis form of the invention care must be exercised to remove the fingersfrom the key levers as quickly as possible soas to prevent heating ofthe solenoid coil 86 and Aso as not to retard the operation of themachine.' In this arrangement, however, grounding the source of energy12 and the conductor 80 on the machine frame is avoided; the conductor80 being connected directly with4 the source of energy.

While certain preferred'embodiments of the invention have been shown anddescribed, it will be understood that changes in the form, arrangement,proportions, sizes and details thereof may be made withoutdepai'tingfrom the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

l. a typewriting machine, the combination of printing ate the type v,carrier, key levers to operate the actuating means, means operable bythe key levers while operating the actuating means to prepare the firstmentioned means for a subsequent actuation, and a device amoeiated withthe preparing means and operable by the actuating means for the typecarrier to effect the actuation of the nist-mentioned means to thusactuate the co-operative element.

2. In a typewritlng machine, the combination of printinginstrumentalities including a type carrier, and a co-operative element,means to actuate the type carrier, means to locate the type carrier withrespect to the co-operating element. electric means to actuate theco-operative element, means associated with the locating meansinstrumentalities including a. typev lcarrier, and a co-operative'element, means to -operate lthe lcooperative element means to actutoeffect the actuation of the electric means, and means to render theelectric means ineiective after the printing operation while theassociated means is still actuated.

3. In a typewriting machine, the combination of printinginstnmientalities including a type carrier, and a cci-operative element,a fixed anvil to support thev type carrier, a rod to support said anvil,an operating lever pivoted to swing about saidl rod and 'actuable inopposite directions thereon to actuate the type carrier, means includingkey levers to actuate said operating lever, indexing devices with. whichsaid operating lever co-operates to register the selected type at theprinting point, an electro-magnet to actuate the co-operative element,and a normally open switch electrically connected with Isaidelectromagnet, said switch including a fixed contact element and apivoted contact element normally in a central position and adapted toswing in opposite directions to either of two effective positions, bothof the switch elements being supported on the actuating lever, thepivoted contact element being carried bodily with the actuating leverwhen the latter is operated, said pivoted element being operated aboutits pivot by the active indexing device as the actuating leverapproaches it to cause said pivoted element to engage the xed elementand thus render the electro-magnet eiective.

4. In a. typewriting machine, the combination of printinginstrumentalities including a type carrier, and a cao-operative element,an actuator for the type carrier, key levers, means actuable by the keylevers to operate said actuator, an electro-magnet to operate theco-operative element, means operable by the key levers to set up acondition affecting the electro-magnet for yfuture operation. meansoperable by said actuator while the operable means is in its activeposition to effect the operation of the electro-magnet, means to renderthe electromagnet ineffective after it has operated said co-operativeelement, and means operable by the key levers to eiect actuation of thelast mentioned means.

5. In a typewriting machine, the combination of printinginstrumentalities including a type carrier, and a co-operative element,an actuator for the type carrier, key levers, means actuable by the keylevers to operate said actuator, an electro-magnet to operate theco-operative element, means operable by the key levers to set up acondition aiecting theelectro-magnet for operation, means operable bysaid actuator to effeet the operation of the electro-magnet while theoperable .means is in its active position, a normally closed switchelectrically connected with the electro-magnet, manual means operable iby the key levers during the active stroke of the -co-operative elementto initiate thefoperation of said switch, automatic .means effectivesubsequent to the actuation of the manual means to complete theactuation of said switch to open it after the printing operation of theco-operative element to render the electro-magnet ineffective, and meansto return said cio-operative element.

6. In a typewriting machine, the combination -of printinginstrumentalities including a type carmeans for-subsequent actuation.ciated with the locating means to effect the actuation of the operatingmeans while the conditioning means is in its set position.

'1. In a typewriting machine, the combination or printinginstrumentalities including a type carrier and a co-operative element,means including key levers to actuate the type carrier. indexing devicesoperable bythe key levers to locate the type Vcarrier with respect tothe co-operating element, operating means to actuate one of saidelements to print against the other, means settable by the key levers tocondition the operating means for subsequent actuation. means associatedwith the locating means to eil'ect the actuation of the operating meanswhile the conditioning means is in its set position, and means wherebysaid operating means is rendered ineffective after printing in case thesettable means is still in its set position.

8. In a typewriting machine, the combination of printinginstrumentalities including a type' carrier and a cooperative element,key-levers, means including a lever operable by said key levers inopposite directions from a normal position to actuate the type carrier,means to .locate the type carrier with respect to the co-operatingelement, an electric device to actuate one oi' said elements to printagainst the other, a carriage, escapement mechanism for said carriage,means operable by the key-levers to actuate said escapement, a switchoperable by the escapement to close said switch to thus establish acondition ail'ecting the electric device for subsequent operationthereof, and a switch associated with the locating means to eiIect theactuation of the electric device while the flrst mentioned switch isclosed.

9. In a typewriting machine, the combination of printinginstrumentalities including a type carrier and a co-operative element,means including a lever operable in opposite directions from a normalposition to actuate the type carrier, means to locate the type carrierwith respect to the co-operating element, an electric device to actuateone of said elements to print against the other, a carriage, escapementmechanism for said carriage, key-levers, means operable by the keyleversto actuate said escapement, a switch operable by the operable means uponthe operation of the latter by any one of the key levers to establish acondition to permit future operation of the electric device, a secondswitch co-operating with the locating means to eiect the actuation ofthe electric device while the nrst mentioned switch is closed. and athird switch which is connected with the escapement mechanism and isoperable thereby toiopen said third switch to render the electric deviceineffective to permit the return of the actuated printing element whilethe other two switches are closed.

10. In a typewriting machine, the combination ota type carrier and anelement to co-operate therewith to print on an interposed work sheet,

shaver to actuan said type carrier to se: the

ected type at the co-operative elementI means to actuate said lever inopposite directions i'rom a central position, two sets oi indexingdevices one at each side of the central position oi said lever to arrestthe latter. a single element pivoted on said lever and extending beyondboth sides oi' said lever so as to engage the active indexing deviceprior to said lever and so as to be operable in opposite directions onsaid lever by the indexing devices oi' the two sets, and a springsecured to said element. two members on said lever between which thefree end of the spring engages to return aoomaa said spring hasten theyreturn of the actuating lever from its eilective positions in centralposition.

11. In a typewriting machine, the combination of printinginstrumentalities including a type carrier, and a co-operative element,means including a lever operable in opposite directions from a normalposition to actuate the type carrier, means to be engaged by said leverto locate the type carrier with respect to the co-operative element, asingle device pivotally supported on said lever and co-operating withthe locating means to eil'ect the actuation of the co-operative element,said device extending beyond the side edges of said lever. so as toengage the locating means prior to said lever and being operableirrespective of the direction in which said lever is moved, a ilatspring secured at one end to said device and effective in two directionsto return said device from opposite sides to a normal position, andmeans on said lever to constrain the other end of said spring.

12. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a rotatable typecarrier, an element to co-operate therewith to print on an interposedwork sheet, a ilat horizontally disposed actuator for the type carrier,key levers, means operable by the key levers to operate said actuator,electric means to effect the actuation of the co-operating element,indexing devices operable by said key levers to be engaged by theactuator, means to render the electric means eil'ective, the last namedmeans including a switch supported on the actuator, the switchcomprising a xed contact element and a pivoted contact element on saidactuator, a stu'd to secure the ilxed contact to said actuator, thepivoted contact element being operable by the combined action oi' theactuator and the active indexing pin, a main frame, a fixed contactplate on said main frame and located under said actuator, said stud oithe fixed contact element extending downwardly into engagement with saidplate and engaging it in any one of the various positions of theactuator, means to insulate said contact element and said stud from saidactuator, and means to insulate said plate from said frame.

FRANK H. TREGO.

